I read a little less than I wanted to in June because there was a book I ought to have put down, but didn’t for the sake of the author. I was shocked and disappointed. Luckily, I devoured a few other wonderful books during the month.
Read MoreEvery summer, Kathy Fish holds a reunion for writers who’ve taken her Fast Flash workshop in the past; for three days in June she posts a prompt each morning, and the rest of us have at it, cheering on each other’s work as we go. My new personals ad for a deity, “SEEKING A NEW GOD FOR AFTER COVID (AND BEYOND),” was born from this year’s Imperative Writing prompt. The Daily Drunk was kind enough to give it a home.
Read MoreThe theme of my 2021 Summer Playlist is: DEBAUCHERY! We are vaccinated and we are embracing hedonism! We are hugging our friends! We are eating out! We are traveling! (We are still taking reasonable precautions against the Delta variant!)
Read MoreNow that it’s very nearly July, I suppose I ought to write about the books I read in May. Lots of good ones! They’re worth the wait.
Read MoreHere’s a fun fact about my writing: I often use lines from Mina Loy poems as prompts. My Paper Darts story “Radioactive Teeth” is an example of this; it was inspired by Loy’s poem “Gertrude Stein.” Another example is my story that trampset was kind enough to publish today: “The Princess Diana Experience.”
Read MoreApril’s such a strange, transitional month—this year, especially. The weather doesn’t know what it’s doing. Some people are vaccinated, others aren’t. It’s hard to make concrete decisions—and I think my April reading list reflected that. It’s all over the place.
Read MoreI only read eight books in March. Only eight! A trifling amount! Not really—it just means I had slightly more of a life last month. Probably a good thing, right?
Read MoreMaybe it has something to do with being stuck inside for a whole year, but this year’s Spring playlist leans pretty hard into the concept of Spring itself. Normally I avoid songs that mention the season in question, but not this time. My body wants to be outside in the sunshine.
Read MoreThe other week I tweeted about my experience working with my agent to sell my second novel—and how our efforts had not succeeded. Which somehow got me invited onto the Joined Up Writing Podcast! My episode is out today.
Read MoreIn the dark, chilly days of February, I often like to read science fiction. Looking out my window is like looking out into deep space—especially this year, when I’m still stranded in the little satellite of my apartment, wondering when I can come back to Earth. But sci-fi’s not all I read during my birthday month.
Read MoreI somehow read eleven books in January? Damn, I’m impressive. The other day I learned that the French phrase for “bookworm” is “buveur d’encre,” which means INK DRINKER. Not only does it perfectly describe the start of 2021 for me, but it’s also now the name of my imaginary goth rock band.
Read MoreIn 2020, I decided to track metrics for the books I read throughout the year. Not only did I want to know how many books I read, but what kind of books. Was I reading too many white authors? How many small press books versus Big 5 publishers did I read? I kept these statistics and more in a gigantic spreadsheet, and here are the results—my first ever Reading in Review.
Read MoreWhenever winter hits, I get really into sweeping, dramatic period pieces. And/or books that are actually from those historical periods. Either works! Much of my December reading was of that genre—but there was more, of course.
Read MoreI honestly think my Winter playlists are some of the best—the season is the most versatile. Glittering snow, iced-over mud, bleak cloud cover. In the case of this year’s playlist, it calls for everything from sparkly disco to the quietest folk strains.
Read MoreHoly cow I read a lot in November. Let’s get right to it.
Read MoreSo pleased that Trash Magazine published my series of linked micros “True Love Travels on a Gravel Road” today! If you like Elvis Presley, marital bliss, and cars with weird names, this one’s for you. To celebrate, here are three facts about these pieces.
Read MoreLike most people, I try to squeeze in a few horror novels for spooky szn. Read some excellent ones this year.
Read MoreI love the unpredictability of September. Will it burn like Summer? Will it bluster like Fall? My reading list for the month is similarly changeable.
Read MoreIt’s finally cooled down in Chicago, which means that it’s time, once again, for a Fall Playlist. It was hard to corral this one into an effective order; the songs range from sprawling electronic melodies to quiet folk tunes.
Read MoreThis was a great month for books, people. I read some stunners.
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